Lechlade to Oxford or Abingdon

Lechlade is the limit of navigation on the Thames. Although it is possible to start the tour from the public slipway in the town, there is not enough space to park a trailer so you would be better starting from the campsite by the Trout Inn next to St. John's Lock. The pub levies a small charge for use of the slipway. You will need to wade in to get into your boat, so be prepared!

Day 1: 25 km, finishing at Newbridge. 5 locks. Allow 6 hours including lunch stop
You will need a good cox for this, as there are many 90 degree and even 180 degree bends on this part of the river. The Trout Inn (not the same one!) at Tadpole Bridge has a low landing stage suitable for rowing boats and is about the only place where you can stop for lunch. You can leave boats overnight (with permission) at the Canoe Hire place next to the Rose Revived Inn at Newbridge. The Rose Revived has a restaurant and a few bedrooms, though the Dog House at Frilford Heath is better.

Day 2: 26 km to Falcon RC, 6 locks or 38 km to Abingdon RC, 9 locks. Allow 6 hours (to Falcon) or 8 hours (to Abingdon) including lunch stop.
This stretch starts off with a few more sharp bends but then straightens out and becomes wider. Stop for the lunch at yet another Trout Inn at Wolvercote, mooring the boats at St Edwards School (contact the boatman, Phil Colborne, for permission). Go through Godstow Lock and do a U-turn to get to the School boat club. This Trout is the one used in the Inspector Morse series, though Lewis was not on hand to buy the beers when we visited. The route then goes through Oxford past the College boathouses. If you have the time and energy, continue to Abingdon as this part of the route is paritcularly scenic.

All the locks are manned from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., but most lock-keepers take a lunch break from 1 - 2 p.m., so if you arrive outside their working hours you will need to operate the lock yourself. The locks above Godstow are manual, after that electric. Not all of them are accessible by road.